Provided is a squat exercise system and a method for tracking squats performed that includes a bench component which functions as a landing for a user and a remote control system that controls operations performed by the squat exercise system and includes a remote control unit operating the squat exercise system, and a housing removably attached to an underside of the bench component that includes a power supply unit supplying power, a sensing device which senses a body part of the user when within a predetermined distance from the bench component and generates a signal, a processor/control unit that receives and processes the signal by the sensing device in communication therewith, and automatically tracks, in real-time a count of each successful squat completed and a total count thereof, and a notification unit in communication with the processing/control unit that generates a notification signal indicative of successful completion of a squat.
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20. A squat exercise system comprising:
a remote control system configured to control operations performed by the squat exercise system and comprising:
a remote control unit for operating the squat exercise system, and
a housing to be positioned on a flat surface, and comprising:
a power supply unit for supplying power,
a sensing device configured to sense a body part of the user when within a predetermined distance from the housing and generating a signal,
a processor/control unit configured to receive and process the signal generated by the sensing device in communication therewith, to automatically track, in real-time a count of each successful squat completed and a total count thereof, and
a notification unit in communication with the processor/control unit and configured to to generate a notification signal indicative of successful completion of a squat.
1. A squat exercise system comprising:
a bench component configured to function as a landing for a user; and
a remote control system configured to control operations performed by the squat exercise system and comprising:
a remote control unit for operating the squat exercise system, and
a housing removably attached to an underside of the bench component and comprising operating components of the squat exercise system comprising:
a power supply unit for supplying power,
a sensing device configured to sense a body part of the user when within a predetermined distance from the bench component and generate a signal,
a processor/control unit configured to receive and process the signal generated by the sensing device in communication therewith, to automatically track, in real-time a count of each successful squat completed and a total count thereof, and
a notification unit in communication with the processor/control unit and configured to generate a notification signal indicative of successful completion of a squat.
14. A method of performing squat exercises being performed via a squat exercise system, the method comprising:
selecting to preset a squat height on a display via a user input device, wherein a user squats at a desired squat height towards a sensing device, and then pushes the input user device to preset the squat height as desired, wherein the squat exercise system automatically saves the squat height preset by the user;
selecting one type of squat exercise of different types of squat exercises to be performed; performing a squat and sensing via the sensing device activated by a body part of the user located at the squat height a signal indicative of completion of the squat performed;
sending, via the sensing device, the signal to a processor/control unit for processing; and
sending a notification signal via a notification unit indicating that the squat was successfully completed; and
automatically counting and tracking, in real-time, via an onboard clock of the processor/control unit, a count of each successful squat completed and a total count thereof.
2. The squat exercise system of
3. The squat exercise system of
4. The squat exercise system of
5. The squat exercise system of
an outer body comprising:
a speaker output having a plurality of holes for outputting audio signals to indicate squat status information and
a plurality of protruding portions spaced apart along an inner surface thereof for receiving and removably storing the remote control unit thereon when not in use,
wherein the remote control unit comprises receiving portions corresponding to the plurality of protruding portions for receiving the protruding portions, when storing thereon.
6. The squat exercise system of
a display configured to display squat exercise information; and
a user input device configured to receive squat exercise selections as input by the user, to be performed and to preset settings as desired to initiate performance of a squat exercise.
7. The squat exercise system of
8. The squat exercise system of
9. The squat exercise system of
10. The squat exercises system of
11. The squat exercise system of
12. The squat exercise system of
a memory configured to store software instructions for performing sensing via the sensing device and for transmitting data signals to the display, and to store data therein; and
an onboard clock configured to count and track a time difference between a current time and a squat exercise start time to determine a duration of the squat exercises being performed for displaying via the display.
13. The squat exercise system of
15. The method of
16. The method of
presetting, via the user input device, a predetermined time for performing the one of the different types of squat exercises; and
timing squats performed via the onboard clock to track how many squats the user performs in the predetermined time, as set by the user.
17. The method of
presetting a number of pulses for each pulsating squat;
performing squats up and down within the squat height;
sensing, the signal indicative of each pulse of the pulsating squat completed, and sending the signal to a processor/control unit for processing, and generating a first notification signal indicative of a successful pulse of the pulsating squat; and
upon completion of the number of pulses for each squat, generating a second notification signal different from the first notification signal indicative of a completed pulsating squat; and
displaying, via the display, a number of the pulsating squats completed.
18. The method of
selecting, via the user input device, an amount of time for holding a squat;
performing the squat and sensing, via the sensing device, the squat being performed, and sending a signal to a processor/control unit for processing; and
counting down the amount of time, via the onboard clock and generating a notification signal via a notification unit when the amount of time is completed.
19. The method of
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The present invention claims priority to the Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/223,656 filed on Jul. 20, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein in its entirety.
The present invention relates generally to an exercise system. In particular, the present invention relates to a squat exercise system and a method to automatically track, in real-time, the accuracy of performance, and a count of each squat exercise successfully completed by a user.
Exercise equipment and systems have been known to help promote good health by improving physical appearance, digestion and strength. A squat is performed to activate and engage several parts of the body including for example, glutes, quads, hamstrings and core muscles of a person.
There is a particular technique required in order to perform a successful squat including keeping the head up, the torso straight and engaging the core as the person squats sending the hips in a backward and downward direction, simultaneously.
Several issues may occur when a person performs a squat incorrectly including for example, possible injury.
It is therefore desirable to provide a squat exercise system capable of assisting a user in successfully performing squat exercises while automatically tracking in real-time the accuracy of performance and a total count thereof.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a squat exercise system including a bench component which functions as a landing for a user and a remote control system that controls operations performed by the squat exercise system and includes a remote control unit operating the squat exercise system, and a housing removably attached to an underside of the bench component that includes a power supply unit supplying power, a sensing device which senses a body part of the user when within a predetermined distance from the bench component and generates a signal, a processor/control unit that receives and processes the signal by the sensing device in communication therewith, and automatically tracks, in real-time a count of each successful squat completed and a total count thereof, and a notification unit in communication with the processing/control unit that generates a notification signal indicative of successful completion of a squat.
Additional embodiments include a method of performing squat exercises via the above-mentioned system.
The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features of various embodiments, which should be construed to be merely illustrative of various potential applications of the disclosure. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by combining various aspects of the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope defined by the claims.
The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure. Given the following enabling description of the drawings, the novel aspects of the present disclosure should become evident to a person of ordinary skill in the art. This detailed description uses numerical and letter designations to refer to features in the drawings. Like or similar designations in the drawings and description have been used to refer to like or similar parts of embodiments of the invention.
As required, detailed embodiments are disclosed herein. It must be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of various and alternative forms. As used herein, the word “exemplary” is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components.
In other instances, well-known components, systems, materials, or methods that are known to those having ordinary skill in the art have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art.
As noted above, the embodiments provide a squat exercise system for assisting users in accurately performing squat exercises and automatically tracking, in real-time a count of completion thereof.
Embodiments of the present invention, provide a squat exercise system that enables users to perform squats low enough to ensure that they have completed a successful squat that will render guaranteed results.
In the current embodiment, the remote control unit 210 and the operating components 300 in the housing 220 (which is attached to the bench component 110) of the remote control system 200 are communicatively coupled together via a wiring (enclosed in a cable gland) 250. Additionally, electrical connectors can be included within the housing 220 to connect/disconnect the wiring 250 between the remote control unit 210 and the housing 220. According to other embodiments, the remote control unit 210 may communicate with the operating components 300 wirelessly over a communication network 260 (as depicted in
As shown in
As further shown in
The outer body 221 of the housing 220 is formed of a hard plastic material such as an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic formed by fused deposition modeling (FDM), for example, or any other suitable material for the purpose set forth herein. The outer body 221 includes a speaker output 224 which includes a plurality of holes for outputting audio signals to indicate squat status information and a power button 316 for initiating an on-off state of the remote control unit system 200, a connector 317 for receiving a recharging cord 318 (as depicted in
Details regarding the remote control unit 210 will now be discussed with reference to
Referring back to
As shown in
According to an embodiment, the display 214 of the remote control unit 210 is a graphic display module (e.g., an OLED graphic display module) for displaying a scrollable menu including selection options along with squat information and settings to the user. The display 214 is connected to a level shifter 215 and a capacitor 217 for translate signals from one voltage or logic level to another to enable compatibility between within the circuitry shown in
As previously mentioned above, the user input device 216 is a rotary-type input device with push button and can be used as a rotatable push knob for navigating and selection options 219 on the display 214 of the remote control unit 210. A separate transmitter/receiver 240 may also be included for transmitting/receiving instructions from the processor/control unit 312. The components of the remote control unit 200 are mounted to a PCB or breadboard for safe holding therein.
According to some embodiments, the remote control system 200 or the features thereof accessible via a wearable device (as mentioned above) can be voice-activated, such that users can speak commands to operate the squat exercise system 100, for example, to turn on and off the system 100 and make the squat exercise selections via voice technology.
According to some embodiments, the sensing device 310 includes an ultrasonic distance sensor module that measures the distance from the bench component 110 to the user's body when performing squat exercises. The sensing device 310 may include one or more sensors and the type of sensing device is not limited hereto, for example, a motion sensing device, heat sensing device or other sensing device suitable for the purposes set forth herein may be used. Optionally, the sensing device 310 may be disposed within the bench component 110 instead of the housing 220, for example, in a center region on the top outer surface of the bench component 110 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. The sensing device 310 is not limited hereto and can be disposed in any other suitable location for the purpose set forth herein. For example, the sensing device 310 can be positioned adjacent to a front region of the top portion 120a thereof (depicted in
Further shown in
The processor/control unit 312 comprises at least one microprocessor, microcontroller, central processor (CPU) or other control unit and is in communication with the sensing device 310 and receives, processes data signals generated therefrom and data received and transmitted to and from the remote control unit 210. The processor/control unit 312 resides on a printed circuit board (PCB) having the operating components 300 and various wires as shown in
The processor/control unit 312 further includes an onboard clock 314 (e.g., timer/counter) to count and track the time difference between the current time and an exercise start time (as discussed below) to determine the duration of the squat exercise being perform for displaying to the user via the display 214. The processor/control unit 312 automatically tracks, in real-time, an accurate count of completion of each successful squat exercise performed by user and provides a total count to the user via the display 214. Alternatively, the components of the processor/control unit 312 may be separate components (e.g., a separate processor/controller, memory, timer and digital counter) electrically connected together for operation according to other embodiments.
In yet another embodiment, the output from the processor/control unit 312 can be pushed via a webhook on a communication network such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capabilities to an external device (e.g., a wearable device) or other external device instead of the remote control unit 210 suitable for the purpose set forth herein.
As shown, the power supply unit 315 is configured to supply power to the remote control system 200 and may include one or more replaceable or rechargeable battery pack. According to one embodiment, the battery pack may be a 12V rechargeable battery pack and include one or more lithium-type batteries along with a protection board for safely recharging the batteries. The present invention is not limited to any particular type of power supply and may vary as needed. For example, the power supply unit 315 can receive power from an external power source or by an optional USB charging device, for example. The on-off state of the remote control system 200 is initiated by use of a power button 316 which may be a push button-type device, for example, a 12 volt (V) light emitting diode (LED) latching power button to turn the remote control system 200 on and off. The power supply unit 315 further includes a connector 317 (e.g., a female barrel connector) for receiving a recharging cord 318 to be inserted therein in and connecting to an external power source for recharging purposes. The recharging cord may be for example, a 12 volt (V) 3 amp (A) charging cord with a male connector for connection to the connector 317 of the power supply unit 315.
The notification unit 320 is also included and is in communication with the processor/control unit 312 for receiving a signal therefrom, processing the signal received and providing a notification signal to a user upon performing a squat or other operations of the squat exercise system 100, for example, setting height or receiving a warning signal (discussed in more detail below). The notification unit 320 can be an audio and/or visual generating signal unit for example, a speaker and a transmitter (e.g., a microphone) or buzzer generating an audio signal (e.g., a beep), and/or optionally a lighting device (e.g., an LED) generating a light (e.g., green in color) indicative of a successful squat being completed, or any type of signaling unit or components capable of generating a notification signal as set forth herein.
A resistor 321 e.g., of 1 kΩ, for example, is used to connect the notification unit 320 (e.g., a buzzer) to ground (as depicted in
According to some embodiments, when a user is performing the squat, the notification unit 320 may generate one or more series of beeps to indicate to the user has completed a successful squat and generates a different sound or beep when a successful squat has not been completed. The present invention is not limited to any particular number of beeps or holding time.
According to other embodiments, a wearable device is provided to enable a user to receive a notification signal thereon from the notification unit 320. The notification signal received can cause a vibration to occur at the wearable device. The wearable device can be a bracelet for example, which receives the notification signal and vibrates to indicate that a squat has been performed accurately. This feature is a benefit for those who have hearing disabilities or when users opt to eliminate audio signals from the system. The system 200 can be implemented with and synced with other external devices, for example, other exercise tracking devices such as a FitBit® to enable users to sync and keep track of their progress externally from the system. This implementation can also enable a user to create squat goals in advance via the external device and implement those goals via the squat exercise system and possible participate in challenges with other users of other squat exercise systems. This implementation can also be included in the wearable device of the system according to other embodiments. The vibration feature can be performed using Bluetooth technology or other suitable technology. The bench component 110 is paired up with a wearable device during a pairing operation such that upon receiving a signal from the sensing device 310, the processor/control unit 312 will generate and transmit a signal to the wearable device (e.g., the bracelet) to vibrate once a successful squat is completed.
As mentioned, several operating components 300 of the squat exercise system are housed within the housing 220. However, the present invention is not limited hereto. Alternatively, some of these components operating 300 may be housed within the remote control unit 210 itself or in an external device in communication with the remote control system 200. For example, the processing unit 312 and notification unit 320 may be in the remote control unit 210. Alternatively, the remote control unit 210 may include a separate processing unit (not shown) to be in communication with the processor/control unit 312 of the housing 220. According to embodiments of the present invention, the squat exercise system can perform various methods wherein squats can be performed or squat settings can be preset by the user at the remote control unit 210 as follows:
Single Squat/Jump Squat Setting:
If at any time the user decides to pause the system 200, the user can go back to the menu at the input user device 216 and click to pause, check time and/or number of squats completed, then select resume to resume at the original time upon pausing, as well as at the number of squats already completed or select end to terminate that exercises and move on to a different type of squat exercise by returning to the menu.
Pulsating Squats Setting:
According to other embodiments, the system 100 can further assist users with psychological hindrances potentially get over his or her fear of squats because the bench component 110 will hold a user's weight and optional handrails can be used to assist the user in performance of each squat exercise. If optional handrails are included, they may be collapsible, adjustable, and detachable via an unscrewing operation or other means. According to some embodiments, the handrails may also be weighted (e.g., for approximately 1 to 5 lbs.) and used as one or more weighted bars by the user while performing squat exercises.
According to other embodiments, since the squat exercise system is a portable exercise system, it may also include at least one handle for easy travel and storage. Alternatively, one or more handles may be disposed on one or more sides of the bench component.
The present invention is not limited to performing any particular methods and or any particular settings and can vary, as necessary according to various embodiments of the present invention.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
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